Letters to the Editor: July 11

Free Press Readers

Updated: July 10, 2014

Jasper Cillessen of the Netherlands watches as he fails to stop the decisive penalty shot by Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez during their penalty shootout in their 2014 World Cup semifinals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 9, 2014. (REUTERS)

Like most of my friends, I have always found soccer to be totally boring. All that diving and scores of nil-nil. What kind of sport is that?

Anyway, I started watching the CBC coverage of the World Cup early on, as well as being entertained by Morris Dalla Costa’s daily accounts in the newspaper. I found myself fascinated by the skill and athleticism of the players and the excitement of the fans.

I was surprised how easy it was to learn the rules of the game by watching it. It really is a simple game but, like chess, very strategic.

These players are the best athletes in the world, with the possible exception of the referees, who have to run the length of the pitch constantly. (Did you notice that I used the word pitch instead of field?)

If a senior citizen like me can be become a fan, soccer will become a major sport in North America in my lifetime.

John T. Ryan

London

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Like idea of 3-term council limit

I could not agree more with Jane Vincent-Havelka’s July 5 letter Three-term limit on council would ensure new faces.

In everyone’s career there is a time to retire, for their own benefit as well as their employer’s (that’s us, in this case). They should be replaced with younger, eager and more energetic individuals.

When Vincent-Havelka goes on to mention that old retirees plan to “come out of the woodwork,” it makes one want to scratch one’s head ask “why?” No, please, you’ve done your bit. Go retire peacefully and let the city grow with new faces and new ideas.

Then, there’s Coun. Joe Swan who has indicated he might run for mayor, but he can’t make up his mind. If a city councillor can’t make up his or her mind, imagine what it would be like having a mayor who can’t make a decision?

Yes, a three-term limit should be plenty long enough for any councillor to provide all they’re worth.

J. W. Mackenzie

London

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Bylaw enforcement encroaches

I paid for it for over 40 years. It’s my house. It’s my lawn. It’s my tree. It’s my grass. I’ll park on it for one hour if I want. Ticket? Thanks, city parking enforcement.

Jim Howey

London

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LGBT could lead by example

How about the LGBT communities lead by example and accept Toronto Mayor Rob Ford as he is. Accept him first as a gesture and if he doesn’t accept you back, accept him in spite of that, too.

Brian Aziz

London

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Not feeling the love

Dianne Ramandt says her Christian God is full of love and kindness. What about such acts of God as earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, famine, disease, droughts and floods, just to name a few of the horrors that plague us? If these scourges are imposed on us by a loving God, I’d hate to think of what He’d do to us if He didn’t love us.

William Bedford

Toronto

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Bible best blueprint for life

According to those who do not believe in the Christian God, we just need to live our lives with our own moral compass. Look around. That is exactly what is happening today. No responsibility or accountability to anyone outside of our flawed selves. Thanks, but no thanks. The Bible will give you God’s plan, a purpose and a set of morals by which to live. Don’t knock it, until or unless you have read it.

Julie Priest

London

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What was the cost of Ornge?

What was the actual cost for Ornge air ambulance last year?

Christina Blizzard, in Throne speech pomp reveals Grit delusions (July 5) mentioned “hundreds of millions of dollars wasted on the Ornge scandal.” In the same Free Press in article She’s ready to get tough, Treasury Board chairperson Deb Matthews claimed the auditor-general put the price at about $10 million.

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